Atlanta Silverbacks News Release -
Atlanta Silverbacks
Friday, February 2, 2007
ATLANTA, GA -- The Atlanta Silverbacks announced the team has come to terms with three new players for the 2007 season. Angel Rivillo, Dayton O’Brien, and Andy Metcalf will join the Atlanta Silverbacks USL First Division squad.
“All three players have the capability to start in this league and we’ll see how things shape up in preseason. Angel will be a good fit to our team: he plays similar to Rios and will give us depth in the central midfield. Dayton is a crafty outside left midfielder with very good pace; he’ll add depth on the left side of the field with Scott Buete and David Hayes. Metcalf is equally versatile on the right side of the field; he’ll add speed, and in addition to his ability on the flank, he can play up top and is a solid finisher,” commented Head Coach Jason Smith.
Rivillo, 5-7, 150, began his professional career in 2000 in the MLS with the Dallas Burn. In 2001, the Venezuela native returned to his home country to play for Deportivo Tachira. He returned to the U.S. and joined the USL First Division in 2002 when he signed with the Milwaukee Rampage. During his first season with the Rampage he helped lead the team to the 2002 USL First Division Championship and also scored one of the USL-1 Goals of the Year - the goal came in a game against the Atlanta Silverbacks. He began his professional indoor career in 2003 with the Milwaukee Wave and helped the Wave win the 2005 MISL Championship. As a youth player, Rivillo played for the Venezuelan Youth National Team.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Atlanta Silverbacks, an organization with good coaches, good players, and good facilities. The organization is promoting soccer and they’re doing it the right way; I know what they’re trying to do and I’m happy to be a part of it,” commented Rivillo.
O’Brien, 5-11, 155, began his professional career in 2006 when he was selected by the Columbus Crew in the 3rd round, 33rd overall, of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. O’Brien will continue his professional career with the Atlanta Silverbacks during the 2007 season. He previously played for the Cape Cod Crusaders in the PDL, seeing action in 33 games in 2004 and 2005 with six goals and 10 assists.
“I’m looking forward to playing with this organization. I’ve heard many positive things and so far the staff has been phenomenal. I know several of the players on the team so it’s easy to fit in, and that translates into good performance and chemistry on the field,” commented O’Brien.
O’Brien spent his collegiate career at the University of Memphis where he became the first Memphis soccer player to be named an All-American; he was selected to the NSCAA All-American Second Team. O’Brien, a Tennessee native, was also named the 2004 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and was an All C-USA First Team selection for two consecutive years (2004 and 2005). He helped lead the Tigers to their first-ever C-USA regular season title and C-USA tournament championship in 2004; during the same year, his 14 assists set a season record at Memphis.
During college and the 2005 Crusaders season, he played alongside his childhood teammate, Andy Metcalf, who has also signed with the Silverbacks.
Metcalf, 6-0, 175, began his professional career in 2006 when he was selected by D.C. United in the 2nd round, 19th overall, of the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft. Metcalf, a Tennessee native, will continue his professional career in Atlanta during the 2007 season. He was the co-Goal Scoring Champion in the PDL with 18 strikes while leading the Crusaders to the playoffs. He also had four assists to give him the third highest point total in the league. In 2004 with the Nashville Metros, he tallied three goals and two assists.
“I couldn’t be happier with the opportunity to play in Atlanta. I’m close to home and it will be great to play with my close friend Dayton again. I’m looking forward to building a strong foundation now that will help our team reach the post-season,” commented Metcalf.
A product of the University of Memphis, Metcalf finished his career third all-time in scoring for the Tigers; he was named to the All C-USA Second Team for three consecutive years (2003, 2004 and 2005). He led the Tigers in scoring in both 2004 and 2005 when he put away 12 goals, enough to lead the entire conference in scoring in 2004. He helped his team win its first ever C-USA regular season title and C-USA tournament championship in 2004.
